あなた

あ

な

た

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 200

Meanings

pronoun

usually written using kana alone

Polite second-person pronoun, traditionally used toward equals or those of lower status. In modern Japanese it can sound distant or even rude when used with someone whose name you know; often replaced by the person's name with an honorific.

あなたはどこにお住すまいですか。
Where do you live?
田た中なかさん、あなたの意い見けんを聞きかせてください。
Tanaka-san, please tell me your opinion.

pronoun

dear; honey

familiar languageusually written using kana alone

Only when written 貴方 / 貴男

Familiar term used by a wife to address her husband; carries an intimate, affectionate tone. In modern usage, it is somewhat old-fashioned and may be replaced by the husband's name or other terms of endearment.

あなた、今日きょうは早はやく帰かえってくる？
Honey, are you coming home early today?

Written forms

あなたUsage93%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
The standard modern spelling; usually written in kana.
貴方あなたUsage6%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Kanji spelling, now rare and literary; can feel old-fashioned or stiff.
アナタUsage1%
貴女あなたUsage1%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Explicitly feminine kanji spelling; very rare in modern writing.
貴男あなた
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Explicitly masculine kanji spelling; very rare in modern writing.

Kanji

貴precious, value, prize
方direction, person, alternative
女woman, female
男male

Similar words

君きみ
More casual and often used toward close friends, juniors, or in romantic contexts; can sound condescending if used inappropriately.
お前まえ
Very informal and can be rude; used among close male friends or in confrontational situations.

Etymology

Originally a demonstrative meaning 'that direction' or 'over there', which developed into a respectful second-person pronoun. The kanji 貴方 literally mean 'noble direction'.

Meanings